UK Company Mergers and Acquisitions: July-September 2024
In the third quarter of 2024, there were a total of 436 mergers and acquisitions (M&A) involving a change in majority share ownership, which was slightly lower than in the previous quarter. The numbers fluctuated monthly, with 179 transactions in July, dropping to 130 in August, and further declining to 127 in September.
When it comes to the value of these transactions, inward M&A, where foreign companies acquire UK companies, totaled £7.8 billion in the third quarter of 2024, higher than the previous quarter. On the other hand, outward M&A, where UK companies acquire foreign companies, amounted to £4.0 billion, slightly less than in the second quarter of 2024. Domestic M&A, involving UK companies acquiring other UK companies, totaled £2.1 billion in the third quarter of 2024.
It’s worth noting that these numbers are provisional and subject to revisions, so it’s essential to approach comparisons with caution, especially when looking at data from earlier periods.
The Bank of England’s report highlighted some key points about the business landscape during the third quarter of 2024. Investment intentions were gradually improving, with positive outlooks for the year ahead. Professional services firms reported steady revenue growth, driven by reasonable fee growth and modest volume growth. Some corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, slightly increased during this period, contributing to the demand for funding but overall corporate financing activity remained flat compared to the previous year.
Overall, the data shows a dynamic and evolving M&A landscape in the UK, with various trends and fluctuations in different sectors.
